Hydraulically actuated pumping system for sewage



Feb. 21, 1967 A. E. BROUGHTON 3,304,873

HYDRAULICALLY ACTUATED PUMPING SYSTEM FOR SEWAGE Filed.Feb. 26, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet l IIIII FIE! 5 in um HTI MV-M

Feb. 21, 1967 A. E. BROUGHTON 3,304,873

HYDRAULICALLY ACTUATED PUMPING SYSTEM FOR SEWAGE Filed Feb. 26, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 u amm MN yr smm mu WK 4 In hN w m w Nm w v H E\\\ i Q R ES E mh MY 4 RM u hwm I \MM. .Ww km. QNM, I v\ I'JFIII'I 1 URI, (/4 w w F 7 x /V w Nm|\ Kl wl mi a; hi m m N \m m kw mm mu sh G M W m Nrm R\Q\ 9 PM m5 Miran/er:

United States Patent Oflice 3,304,873 Patented F eb. 21, 1967 3,304,873 HYDRAULICALLY ACTUATED PUMPING SYSTEM FOR SEWAGE Arthur E. Broughton, Glens Falls, N.Y., assignor to Broughton Corporation, Glens Falls, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Feb. 26, 1965, Ser. No. 435,632 7 Claims. (Cl. 10348) This invention relates generally to sewage pumping systems and the like and more particularly to a hydraulically actuated pumping system for evacuating and discharging material from sewage holding tanks and the like.

The holding tank system for sewage and sanitary systems probably reaches its greatest application in the yachting and boating fields. However, many other temporary holding systems are also available when it is necessary to supply sanitary facilities at remote locations. plication is directed to a pumping system for evacuating and discharging the accumulated sewage from such holding tanks into central sewage systems or other appropriate systems.

.Commercially available pumping systems for performing this task aboard ships are considered undesirable in many aspects. Should the holding tank be the central collection agency for a boat or yacht, the standard operation calls for evacuating the tank either through a land based pump which communicates with the tank through a hose or by providing a pump communicating directly with the tank which pump then charges through a hose to a remote location. The first of these choices requires a pump capable of producing the desired pressure as well as the necessary docking facilities. The second choice involves several different additional problems. A holding tan-k on a ship is usually located at the .lowest level of the ship and the ever present bilge water often presents various difliculties if an electrically driven pump is provided.

With the pumping apparatus as further described in this application a system is provided wherein fluid under pressure actuates a highly efficient pump and wherein the fluid used as the actuation medium is a minimal amount such that it may be fed into the pumping portion of the pump and be discharged along with the sewage. This hydraulic hook-up then requires only one pressure input line to the pump and the controls for the entire pumping system only include a fluid inlet valve.

The pump apparatus as provided is, as stated, highly eflicient and is capable of pumping pressures high in excess of that required to evacuate the holding tanks and discharge the contents thereof to a remote location above a static head. Further the specific design of this pumping system permits pumping of fluid of various viscosity to permit pumping of sewage material and is not susceptible to damage caused by solid particles which may be included with the sewage. Applicants pump is further designed to operate under water or other adverse conditions with no impediment of its action as the pump is completely enclosed and therefore would be ideal for bilge location. Substantially the operation of the pump includes a fluid control unit, an oscillating pumping system for pumping the sewage, a power piston for driving the pumping piston, and valve units which control the flow of the pumped medium to the pumping piston. The fluid control unit directs inlet fluid under pressure to the power piston and the valve units while simultaneously receiving exhaust fluid from the power piston and the valve units which exhaust fluid is then directed to and discharged into the pumping piston portion to be pumped along with the pumped medium such that it will be removed therewith.

Naturally the volume of fluid under pressure to the This apfluid control must be substantially less than the volume of the pumping piston for only with this type of relationship may the exhaust fluid be fed into the pumping area and be removed along with the sewage being pumped.

In the design of this pumping system, it has been found that the most eflective and eflicient operation is obtained through the use of a double acting pumping piston which therefore calls for a double acting power piston. Operation of the fluid control unit therefore must alternately direct fluid under inlet pressure to opposite sides of the power system while simultaneously receiving discharge fluid from the opposite side of the power system. The pumping piston being double acting requires a pair of Valves to control the flow of sewage from the holding tank to the pumping system and valves alternate by control communication from the pump to the tank to utilize the vacuum produced by the two-way pumping system to .aid in withdrawal of the sewage from the pumping tank.

After the sewage has been drawn into the pump area, the proper valves are moved into position in accordance with the direction of the pump piston travel to permit pumping of the sewage to a discharge but preventing back flow into the tank.

The double acting pumping piston provides continuous pump action where one side of the piston draws sewage into the pump due to low pressure created by the movement of piston while sewage is being pumped from the other side of the piston.

It is therefore an object of applicants invention to provide a sewage pumping system having a hydraulically powered pressure discharge requiring only a source of fluid under pressure for operation thereof.

It is a further object of applicants invention to provide a sewage pumping system for discharging and evacuating sewage holding tanks and the like which discharge is under pressure such that the sewage may be discharged against a back pressure.

It is a further object of applicants invention to provide a sewage pumping system for use with a refuse container or sewage holding tank for evacuation thereof wherein the pumping system is operable under adverse environmental conditions such as being completely submerged.

It is a specific object of applicants invention to provide a pressure discharge pumping system having a sewage pumping piston driven by a reciprocatory power :piston to provide a continuous two-way pump for the withdrawal and discharge of sewage from a sewage holding tank.

It is "a further specific object of applicants invention to provide a valve structure for a sewage pumping device which valves close and open in response to not only a hydraulic actuating pressure but also in response to the pressure of the sewage pumping piston to positively close and open communication to the piston.

It is still another object of applicants invention to provide a fluid actuated pumping system for evacuation of sewage of holding tanks and the like wherein fluid under pressure is directed to various elements of the pumping system and after serving on the actuator thereof is directed to combine with the sewage being pumped such that only a fluid inlet line is the only necessary connection for actuation.

These and other object and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a pumping system embodying the concepts of this invention as it may be installed on the ship.

FIG. 2 is a vertical section taken substantially along line 2.-2 of FIG. 1 and particularly illustrating the pumping section of the unit.

FIG. 3 is a vertical section substantially along line 33 of FIG. 1 and illustrating the inlet valving portion of the unit.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal section taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 5 and particularly illustrating the relation of the inlet valves to the pumping portion of the unit.

FIG. 5 is a vertical section taken substantially along line 55 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a vertical section taken substantially along line 66 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a schematic fluid flow diagram illustrating the flow of both the pumped medium and the actuating fluid flow through the system. 1

Although the unit to be described herein may be used to pump various fluids and semifluids, one particular application is referred to herein to best illustrate the use of the unit. As seen in FIG. 1, the hull H of a ship is shown in substantially cross section with various superstructure and toilet facilities shown therein.

For purposes of illustration, the toilet facilities shown in the ship include a sewage holding tank T having a plurality of sewage collection lines L delivering sewage to the tank T. A water pressure tank W is illustrated with delivery lines extending to the toilet facilities to serve the flushing operations therefore.

The unit designated in its entirety 10 is illustrated in downwardly disposed receiving relation with respect to tank T with a discharge line D extending therefrom to deliver the sewage from holding tank T to a remote position outside of the ship. A pressure water line connection A is likewise made to the pumping unit 10 from water tank W and a control valve V is arranged to control the flow of water into tank 10. Operation of pumping unit 10 takes place when water is introduced thereto from tank W through valve V such that the accumulated sewage may be pumped from holding tank T.

Pumping unit 10 includes as general elements an actuating section 11, a pumping section 12, an inlet valving section 14 and a directional fluid control section 13 to control the flow of inlet fluid to the actuator section 11 and valve section 14. A discharge valving arrangement is also provided to control the discharge of the sewage and prevent back flow to the pumping section 12.

Flow of sewage is naturally from the holding tank T through the inlet valving section 14 into the pumping section 12 where it is pumped through the discharge valving section 15 into the discharge conduit D. The relation of the inlet valve section 14 to the tank T is best illustrated in FIG. 3 wherein a conduit C receives sewage from tank T and delivers the same to the housing of the pumping unit 10. As illustrated in FIG. 3 a flange member 16 is provided for connection of conduit C and is sealed to unit 10 through a gasket member 16a. Sewage from conduit C enters a substantially vertical passage 17 which terminates in a generally horizontal passage 18 at the bottom thereof. Flow through the ends 18a- 18b of passage 18 is controlled by a pair of hydraulically actuated valve members designated at their entirety 19-20 and which comprise valve section 14. The respective ends 18a-18b of passage 18 are provided with generally arcuate valve seats 18c-18d such that the respective valve members may seal thereagainst and control flow into the pumping section 12.

Valving units 19-20 comprise independent housing members 21-22 sealingly attached to the main housing unit and each of them is provided with a flow directing spool insert 23-24 respectively received therein and sealed relation to said housing 21-22. A pair of passages 23a- 23b, 24a-24b are respectively provided on the ends of spool inserts 23-24 and are sealingly separated to control introduction and exhaust of fluid from the interior of spools 23-24 for movement of the valve members 25-26. Valve members 25-26 include a pair of connected, spaced apart generally arcuate members 25a-25b, 26a-26b one member 25a-26a being slidably received into the spool insert 23-24 to serve as an actuating piston with the other member 25b-26b actuating as the valving section being arranged in reciprocating sealing relation with respect to the valve seat 18c-18d. Valving members 25b-26b are substantially resilient to provide proper positive sealing with respect to their respective valve seat 18c-18d.

As seen in FIG. 4, the passages through the valve seats -18d communicate with passages 29-30 which extend transversely across the pumping unit 10 to communicate with the pumping section 12. Pumping section 12 comprises a generally cylindrical sleeve member 31 having a sealed piston 32 arranged for reciprocatory sliding movement therein. Piston 32 is a dual acting piston, pumping sewage while moving in either direction and the position illustrated in FIG. 4 shows the piston 32 in position to begin its stroke in the direction of the arrow. In this position valve 26 is closed and valve 25 is open such that a suction will exist on the left side of piston 32 to draw sewage from holding tank T but prevent back flow from the high pressure side thereof. Piston 32 is securely arranged on a longitudinally extending piston rod 33 which extends through pumping section 12 into the actuator section 11. Seal 34 is provided between the pumping section 12 and the actuator section 11 around rod 33.

Piston rod 33 and thus piston 32 is securely connected on its outward end to an actuator piston 35 slidably arranged within the actuator housing 11. Pistons 32 and 35 are substantially similar in construction and in the form shown comprise a flexible peripheral sealing surface 32a-35a mounted on a central support structure 32b- 35b. Fluid passages 36-37 are respectively arranged on the opposite ends of the actuator housing 11a to be on opposite sides of the piston 35 for producing movement thereof when actuating fluid is introduced therethrough. From this construction it should be obvious that the two pistons 32 and 35 will move in unison in both directions the actuator piston 35 serving to positively drive the pumping piston 32.

In the form shown, as best illustrated in FIG. 2, discharge section 15 of the unit 10 comprises a discharge housing 37 having a pair of intake ports 38-39 in receiving relation to receive sewage from the pumping section 12. A pair of flap check valves 40-41 members are arranged in sealing relation to said intake ports 38-39 for alternate sealing and opening thereof in response to sewage pumped by piston 32. Discharge conduit D is arranged for threadable connection to discharge housing 37 and extends to a remote discharge point as shown in the cross section of the ship in FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a pair of cleanout and closure members 42-43 may be sealingly arranged on the discharge housing 37 in upwardly spaced relation to the intake ports 38-39 and flap valves 40-41 to permit cleaning of the discharge housing 37 if necessary.

The fluid directional control portion 13 of the unit is illustrated in cross section in FIGS. 2 and 4 and in the form shown is arranged in longitudinal alignment with the pumping section 12 and actuator section 11. Housing member 45 is sealingly connected to the main pumping unit 10 and provides an internal cavity therein for housing the various directional control elements as hereinafter described. Interiorly of the housing 45, a spool member generally designated 46 is mounted against movement and includes a plurality of arcuately formed flow passages 47-48-49-50-51 arranged in longitudinally spaced relation about the periphery thereof. Each of these passages communicates through passages 47a, 48a, 49a, 50a, 51a respectively with a passage 46a through the central portion of spool 46. The individual passages 47-51 are sealingly separated through O-rings or the like.

For purposes of explanation to follow hereinafter, arcuate passage 49 is termed a main inlet passage; passages 48 and 50' are termed distribution passages and 47 and 51 are termed exhaust passages. As shown in FIG. 2 a boss 49a is arranged on the external portion of housing 45 and is provided with an internal passage 49b therethrough normally communicating with inlet passage 49 and pressure water conduit designated A originally illustrated in the cross sectional view through the hull of the ship.

Internally of spool 46 is a sliding spool valve member generally designated 52 having an internal passage 52a therethrough while externally a plurality of peripherally arranged and longitudinally extending passages respectiuely designated 52b, 52c, 52d are provided. Each of the passages 52b, (2 and d are sealingly separated from one another and are of a length to cover at least two of the ports 47a through 51a to spool passages 47-51. The ends of sliding spool valve 52 are arranged with peripheral flanges 53-54 in sealing contact with the internal surface of passage 46a and are provided with longitudinal passages 53a-54a therethrough. A seal member 57 and end closure 57a and opposite end closure 57b complete the ends of housing 45 such that the sliding spool valve 52 is completely sealed therein.

A stop pin member 55 is arranged intermediate the ends of the sliding spool valve 52 and extends entirely transversely thereacross. Likewise an abutment member 56 is provided on the inner end of spool valve 52 within the internal passage 52a therethrough. Mounted for sliding movement internally of the spool valve 52 and more specifically between the stop members 55-56 a pilot control valve generally designated 60 is provided. This pilot valve 60 is in essence another sliding spool valve having only one peripheral reduced portion 60a between the ends thereof which ends slide within the passage 52a of spool valve 52. An internal longitudinal cavity 61 is provided within pilot valve 60 and an aperture 60b communicates through the side walls of cavity 61 to afford communication between cavity 61 and reduced peripheral portion 601:. An abutment member 62 is arranged to capture a throttle rod generally designated 65 within cavity 61. A communicating passage 52e is also formed through the periphery of spool valve 52 to permit communication between the interior thereof and passage 52c around the outer periphery thereof.

This passage 520 permits the transmission of fluid to cavity 61. Throttle rod 65 consists generally of an elongated rod member with a pair of enlarged end members 66-67 thereon. One of said ends 67 being arranged within cavity 61 of pilot valve 60 with the other end 66 having a lost motion connection to piston 32. The lost motion connection is provided through a closed end cavity 33a in the pumping piston 32 end of piston connecting rod 33. Longitudinal cavity 33 is closed through a cap member 33b which permits the rod 65 to pass therethrough but which prevents passage of end 66 from cavity 33a.

Through internal connections and corings, fluid is distributed from the directional control device 13 into the various portions of the unit.

These internal connections, coring and controlled flow of fluid and sewage through the unit is best illustrated in the schematic flow diagram of FIG 7. FIG. 7 illustrates the high pressure inlet fluid as a solid flow line and indicates the exhaust flow of fluid which has served its functional purpose as a dotted flow line. In their figure, the elements are of course shown schematically but reference is made to the more specific discussion of the individual elements by using the same reference numerals.

In the position shown the spool control member 52 has been shifted to the left and likewise the pumping piston 32 and actuator piston 35 have completed their stroke to the left. Inlet fluid at a predetermined operating pressure is illustrated entering the control housing 13 into the central inlet aperture 49. This fluid is directed into the first directional flow passage 50 and then into the internal passage 70 which passage is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. A portion of the flow from passage 70 is directed into the valve unit 25 through passage 23b to force piston 25a rearwardly and open communication between the sewage tank T and communicating passages 18 and 29 and have pumping piston chamber 12 on the left side of piston 32 such that as piston 32 is driven to the right a low pressure will exist on the left of piston 32 to draw sewage therein. Fluid likewise is distributed from core passage 70 to valve 26 rearward of piston 26a through passage 24b to force the valving piston 26b into sealing position against valve seat 18. This sealed position of course prevents communication from the sewage tank to the piston chamber 12 and allows the sewage that had been previously drawn therein to be discharged through the discharge outlet 39 as controlled by check valve 41.

Fluid likewise is directed to the left side of actuator piston 35 of housing 11 through aperture 36 to force the actuator piston 35 to the right and thus drive piston 32 to the right effecting the pumping of the sewage. Simultaneously with these movements, fluid is likewise being discharged from the opposite sides of the respective pistons such as through actuator aperture 37, valve aperture 24a on the left side of piston 26a, and valve aperture 23a on the left side of piston 25a of valve 25. This discharge fluid is directed into directional groove 48 of control housing 13 and into the discharge passage 51 through spool passage 52b. This discharge fluid is directed through core passage 72 again shown in FIG. 4 to the upper most portion of the pumping unit 10 through passage 72a into the sewage outlet passage 17 where it combines with the sewage from the tank T to be discharged therewith. Passage 72a appears on FIG. 3.

When the pistons 35-32 reach the further-most end of the stroke directed to the right, the throttle rod 65 action comes into play. Piston end 66 of throttle rod 65 abuts with stop 33b to initially pull throttle rod 65 to the right such that pilot end 67 will abut with the pilot stop 62 to move the pilot to the right until fluid may pass into passage 52e to add additional force to drive pilot to the right where it will abut with shiftable spool .stop 56 to shift the entire control spool 52 to the right.

At this new location for spool 52 inlet passage 49 will communicate with passage 48 through the arcuate connecting groove 52c such that the direction of flow is reversed to the various elements. Likewise in this case discharge fluid from the elements will enter groove 50 and be directed to exhaust groove 51 where it will exhaust int-o core passage 72. When the pistons have completed their travel to the left due to this reversal, the pilot valve 60 will be moved to the left through the action of throttle rod to abut with stop rod 55 and again force the pilot 60 and spool 52 into the position shown on FIG. 7.

Various cushioning functions are available in the control portion 13 such that at the ends of the piston stroke the deceleration will not cause hammering of the parts but will rather be a cushioned deceleration. These various cushioning details are more fully explained in the patent to Arthur E. Broughton entitled Oscillator, No. 295,443, issued May 20, 1952.

Various portions of this pumping unit 10 may be provided with clean out plates such as plate 73 to permit access to the pumping piston section 12 and various other plates to provide access to the valve members 25-26.

One important feature with respect to sizes in this pumping unit is that the size of the actuator piston 35 must be substantially smaller than the pumping piston 32. Likewise the combined sizes of the actuator piston 35 along with the valves 25-26 must be substantially smaller than the pumping piston 32. This size of course refers to volume in that since the discharge fluid from the actuator piston 35 and valves 25-26 is directed into the pumping chamber. The discharge fluid must not occupy the entire volume of the entire piston 32 but there must be room for the sewage to be pumped.

Through testing it has been found that this unit will operate at very low inlet pressure and pressures as low as psi. have been used while pumping sufiicient amounts of sewage over a considerable static head. Applicant has further found that the application of hydraulically actuated check valves will allow the unit to operate even though the viscosity of the sewage being pumped would ordinarily prevent proper sealing of certain valves and even though the sewage may contain various foreign objects.

The operation as described is easily explained for a ship installation in that a line A with valve V is provided from the main water pump of the ship, a discharge line D is provided to the hull of the ship and the appropriate connection is made to the holding tank T. Operation of the unit is then just as described hereabove.

It should be obvious that applicant has provided a new and unique pumping mechanism thoroughly positive in its operation and further being operable with a single fluid transmission line in that it is so designed to pump the exhausted actuating fluid along with the medium being pumped.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangements and proportion of parts without departing from the scope of the invention, which generally stated consists in the matter set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A pumping system for pumping disposable matter under pressure, said system including:

(a) a receptacle for accumulating the disposable matter therein and having a discharge outlet;

(b) liquid supply means for supplying liquid under pressure;

(c) a hydraulically actuated pumping system connected to said receptacle including:

(1) a reciprocating actuator responsive for reciprocation for liquid supplied thereto;

(2) a pump arranged for actuation by said actuator communicating with the discharge outlet from said receptacle and arranged to direct material received therein to a remote discharge;

(3) check valve means positively preventing back flow from said pump through said discharge outlet into said receptacle;

(4) valve means receiving liquid from said supply means and controlling the delivery thereof to said actuator, said valve means controlled by said pump; and

(d) a control valve for controlling the liquid supplied to said valve means.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1 and said check valve means including a liquid supply responsive reciprocating actuator for positive movement of said check valve means into open and closed position combining with the pumping pressure of said pump to hold said check valve means in closed position.

3. A pumping system for pumping disposable matter under pressure, said system including:

(a) a receptacle for accumulating the disposable matter therein and having a discharge outlet;

( b) liquid supply means for supplying liquid under pressure;

(c) a hydraulically actuated pumping system connected to said receptacle including:

(1) a reciprocating actuator responsive for reciprocation for liquid supplied thereto;

(2) a double acting pump connected to said actuator for actuation thereby and communicating with said discharge outlet for pumping material received therein to a remote discharge;

(3) a pair of check valve means controlling communication between said discharge outlet and said pump and including a reciprocating actuator for positive movement of said valve means into open and closed position;

(4) valve means receiving liquid from said supply means and directing the same to said reciprocating actuator and said check valve means actuators being directly connected to said pump to control said actuators in response to the position of said pump; and

(d) a control valve for controlling the liquid supplied to said valve.

4. The structure set forth in claim 2 andmeans directing exhaust liquid from each of said actuators into the pumping piston for discharge with the material disposed thereby.

5. The structure set forth in claim 4 wherein the combined displacement of the actuators is less than the displacement of said pump.

6. The structure set forth in claim 4 wherein said reciprocating actuator, said pump and said valve are arranged in axially aligned relation to permit direct connection between said pump and said valve.

7. The structure set forth in claim 4 wherein said pump includes a double ended piston pump connected to said actuator for reciprocation therewith for alternately pumping material received therein from the discharge outlet.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 995,263 6/1911 Laursen 103-48 2,752,862 7/1956 Boakes 103-227 ROBERT M. WALKER, Primaly Examiner. 

1. A PUMPING SYSTEM FOR PUMPING DISPOSABLE MATTER UNDER PRESSURE, SAID SYSTEM INCLUDING: (A) A RECEPTACLE FOR ACCUMULATING THE DISPOSABLE MATTER THEREIN AND HAVING A DISCHARGE OUTLET; (B) LIQUID SUPPLY MEANS FOR SUPPLYING LIQUID UNDER PRESSURE; (C) A HYDRAULICALLY ACTUATED PUMPING SYSTEM CONNECTED TO SAID RECEPTACLE INCLUDING: (1) A RECIPROCATING ACTUATOR RESPONSIVE FOR RECIPROCATION FOR LIQUID SUPPLIED THERETO; (2) A PUMP ARRANGED FOR ACTUATION BY SAID ACTUATOR COMMUNICATING WITH THE DISCHARGE OUTLET FROM SAID RECEPTACLE AND ARRANGED TO DIRECT MATERIAL RECEIVED THEREIN TO A REMOTE DISCHARGE; (3) CHECK VALVE MEANS POSITIVELY PREVENTING BACK FLOW FROM SAID PUMP THROUGH SAID DISCHARGE OUTLET INTO SAID RECEPTACLE; (4) VALVE MEANS RECEIVING LIQUID FROM SAID SUPPLY MEANS AND CONTROLLING THE DELIVERY THEREOF TO SAID ACTUATOR, SAID VALVE MEANS CONTROLLED BY SAID PUMP; AND (D) A CONTROL VALVE FOR CONTROLLING THE LIQUID SUPPLIED TO SAID VALVE MEANS. 